A unique perspective that leaves listeners feeling supported, motivated, & inspired. Celebrating a way of life that encompasses compassion for everyone, this podcast addresses all aspects of eating a compassionate plant based diet. Colleen Patrick-Goudreau answers FAQs including those regarding animal rights, living among non vegans, food, cooking, nutrition and debunks the myths surrounding these issues. In some episodes classic short stories involving animal rights and perspectives are read & discussed.

The Vegan Experience

16 Feb 2018 at 7:23pm

The intention in my work on behalf of animals and veganism has always been to guide people to live compassionately and healthfully with joy and confidence — and without deprivation. And that's why I offer so many opportunities for you to join me in living joyfully, fully, abundantly, compassionately, intentionally, creatively, and consciously — (... More)

The intention in my work on behalf of animals and veganism has always been to guide people to live compassionately and healthfully with joy and confidence — and without deprivation. And that's why I offer so many opportunities for you to join me in living joyfully, fully, abundantly, compassionately, intentionally, creatively, and consciously — in other words, to enjoy The Vegan Experience.

Thank you to everyone who supports this work: Patreon.com/ColleenPatrickGoudreau

Have you ever been "fleeced"? Have you ever "gone in search of the golden fleece" or "pulled the wool over someone's eyes"? Are your political opinion "dyed in the wool"? While I work on new episodes of Food for Thought, I wanted to let you know about a new episode of Animalogy in which I discuss the animal origins of these and more words and expressions (... More)

Have you ever been "fleeced"? Have you ever "gone in search of the golden fleece" or "pulled the wool over someone's eyes"? Are your political opinion "dyed in the wool"? While I work on new episodes of Food for Thought, I wanted to let you know about a new episode of Animalogy in which I discuss the animal origins of these and more words and expressions from animals; i.e. Animalogies.

Animal agriculture is wreaking havoc in every way imaginable; unfortunately, the consumption of meat, dairy, and eggs is on the rise. Of course, people can stop eating animal flesh and fluids and choose instead vegetables and plant-based meats and milks, but meat consumption is outpacing the rate at which people are becoming vegan and vegetarian. What (... More)

Animal agriculture is wreaking havoc in every way imaginable; unfortunately, the consumption of meat, dairy, and eggs is on the rise. Of course, people can stop eating animal flesh and fluids and choose instead vegetables and plant-based meats and milks, but meat consumption is outpacing the rate at which people are becoming vegan and vegetarian. What if they could have their meat and eat it, too, and not cause harm? Join me today for a discussion about clean meat, the subject and title of Paul Shapiro's new book, which I've dubbed "the best history of the future you'll ever read."

Subscribe to Food for Thought on iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play, Soundcloud, or Spotify.

If you ever once thought that “people don’t change,” then you’re in for quite a surprise. The stories you’re about to hear in this TWELVE-YEAR-ANNIVERSARY episode are as diverse as the people who wrote them, but they all share common threads of hope, transformation, and compassion. So relax, sit back, and take in the letters written by podcast (... More)

If you ever once thought that “people don’t change,” then you’re in for quite a surprise. The stories you’re about to hear in this TWELVE-YEAR-ANNIVERSARY episode are as diverse as the people who wrote them, but they all share common threads of hope, transformation, and compassion. So relax, sit back, and take in the letters written by podcast listeners this past year whose lives have been transformed by Food for Thought. I hope you are as moved by the letters as I am humbled by them. PAIRING RECOMMENDATION: a glass of wine, a cup of tea, or a blueberry smoothie.

Buying In or Selling Out? When Meat and Dairy Corporations Buy Vegan Companies

10 Dec 2017 at 12:19pm

The plant-based foods market recently topped $3.1 billion in sales and is slated to reach over $5 billion in just a couple years. As a result, the animal-based meat, dairy, egg, and other large corporations see vegan companies and the plant-based products they make as competitors they should fear, emulate, learn from, collaborate with, invest in, or (... More)

The plant-based foods market recently topped $3.1 billion in sales and is slated to reach over $5 billion in just a couple years. As a result, the animal-based meat, dairy, egg, and other large corporations see vegan companies and the plant-based products they make as competitors they should fear, emulate, learn from, collaborate with, invest in, or even purchase. They recognize they need to "buy into" the success, growth, and future of the plant-based market. Some, however, see it as vegan companies "selling out," choosing profit over principles and betraying their loyal vegan customer base. On today's episode, we explore the many perspectives of such business decisions and speculate about who the biggest winners are in the end.

It's only because of supporters that such episodes exist. Please become a supporter today, and thank you to those who are! www.patreon.com/colleenpatrickgoudreau

As an advocate for animals and compassionate living for over 25 years, you can imagine I’ve made mistakes, I’ve learned a bit, and I’ve thought a lot about what is effective — and what is not. And so I give you 10 Habits of Highly Effective Advocates.
(... More)

As an advocate for animals and compassionate living for over 25 years, you can imagine I’ve made mistakes, I’ve learned a bit, and I’ve thought a lot about what is effective — and what is not. And so I give you 10 Habits of Highly Effective Advocates.

Co-Existing with Carnivores: A Conversation with Project Coyote's Camilla Fox

30 Nov 2017 at 8:12pm

The TRUE carnivores of the world provide SO much benefit to our ecosystems, but they're misunderstood, maligned, and systematically killed, mostly because of the HUMANS who pose as carnivores. Animal agriculture doesn't only affect the billions of its direct victims, it also destroys the lives and habitats of millions of individual wild animals. Today’s (... More)

The TRUE carnivores of the world provide SO much benefit to our ecosystems, but they're misunderstood, maligned, and systematically killed, mostly because of the HUMANS who pose as carnivores. Animal agriculture doesn't only affect the billions of its direct victims, it also destroys the lives and habitats of millions of individual wild animals. Today’s guest on Food for Thought has devoted her life to changing attitudes and policies about the most maligned members of our communities. Camilla Fox is the founder of Project Coyote, a national nonprofit of scientists, educators, ranchers and citizen leaders who work together to change laws and policies to protect native carnivores from abuse and mismanagement, advocating coexistence instead of killing.

How to Talk to a Hunter (Or Anyone Else with Whom You Disagree) — REBROADCAST

27 Nov 2017 at 2:18pm

WARNING: Radical ideas fill this episode, centering around the suggestion that we try to have compassion for people with whom we disagree or who participate in behavior we find abhorrent. That’s the thing about compassion: it’s gotta be equal opportunity or it’s just inauthentic. It’s easy to be compassionate towards like-minded people; the (... More)

WARNING: Radical ideas fill this episode, centering around the suggestion that we try to have compassion for people with whom we disagree or who participate in behavior we find abhorrent. That’s the thing about compassion: it’s gotta be equal opportunity or it’s just inauthentic. It’s easy to be compassionate towards like-minded people; the challenge is choosing to have compassion towards those with whom we disagree. Check out this episode for tips and suggestions on communicating with compassion – but only if you want to create change in the world.

SUPPORTERS MAKE THIS PODCAST POSSIBLE: www.patreon.com/colleenpatrickgoudreau

Most people don’t know that our contemporary customs at Thanksgiving, namely the serving of turkeys, were shaped and popularized by a magazine editor, Sarah Josepha Hale, in the mid-1800s. Whatever meaning we attribute to this Thanksgiving holiday is most certainly not lost (in fact, it is enhanced) by creating food-based rituals that affirm rather (... More)

Most people don’t know that our contemporary customs at Thanksgiving, namely the serving of turkeys, were shaped and popularized by a magazine editor, Sarah Josepha Hale, in the mid-1800s. Whatever meaning we attribute to this Thanksgiving holiday is most certainly not lost (in fact, it is enhanced) by creating food-based rituals that affirm rather than take life, that demonstrate compassion and empathy rather than selfishness and gluttony, that celebrate the fact that no one need be sacrificed in order that we should eat. In today’s episode, I offer a number of different menus for a beautiful holiday feast that delights the senses and reflects our values.

THANK YOU FOR VOTING 'FOOD FOR THOUGHT' BEST PODCAST IN VEGNEWS MAGAZINE AWARDS AGAIN IN 2017

If you’ve never met them, turkeys are magnificent animals, full of spunk and spark and affection. I’ve introduced many people to the critters at farmed animal sanctuaries, and the animals with whom people have the most transformative experience are the turkeys. Every time. Never fails. Join me as I tell some stories of special turkeys I’ve had (... More)

If you’ve never met them, turkeys are magnificent animals, full of spunk and spark and affection. I’ve introduced many people to the critters at farmed animal sanctuaries, and the animals with whom people have the most transformative experience are the turkeys. Every time. Never fails. Join me as I tell some stories of special turkeys I’ve had the privilege of meeting and as I explain why I’m still making amends to the animals, whose breasts, legs, and wings used to darken my dinner plate.

THANK YOU FOR VOTING 'FOOD FOR THOUGHT' BEST PODCAST IN VEGNEWS MAGAZINE AWARDS AGAIN IN 2017

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING 'FOOD FOR THOUGHT'. HELP IT GO ANOTHER 13 YEARS: Patreon.com/ColleenPatrickGoudreau

Lack of awareness and cognitive dissonance compels us to support industries that exploit and hurt animals for our own entertainment both when we’re at home (like going to the zoo or circus) and when we travel (like swimming with dolphins, getting photographed with tigers, or riding elephants). Our desire to be close to other animals and interact with (... More)

Lack of awareness and cognitive dissonance compels us to support industries that exploit and hurt animals for our own entertainment both when we’re at home (like going to the zoo or circus) and when we travel (like swimming with dolphins, getting photographed with tigers, or riding elephants). Our desire to be close to other animals and interact with them is exactly what causes them the most harm. Most of us are drawn to animals, and that’s a good thing, because it also means we want to help them and protect them, but it’s a bad thing when our desire to interact with them is at the cost of their own welfare, safety, happiness, or lives. Listen to today's episode about how to travel to Thailand without harming animals.

Don't forget to subscribe to Food for Thought and Animalogy podcasts on iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play. Thank you to everyone who supports this work. Become a patron today.

I discovered an ancient story about justice brought to an abused horse, then found out it was turned into a poem by a well-known American poet in the 19th century. Then I discovered that poem was made into a film by a humane education organization, founded by an ordinary citizen who (after learning about animal abuse) devoted his life to abolishing (... More)

I discovered an ancient story about justice brought to an abused horse, then found out it was turned into a poem by a well-known American poet in the 19th century. Then I discovered that poem was made into a film by a humane education organization, founded by an ordinary citizen who (after learning about animal abuse) devoted his life to abolishing cruelty to animals. At the same time, he was inspired by a bestselling novel written also by an ordinary citizen concerned about animal abuse; said organization founder sponsored a writing contest for another work of fiction that would highlight animal cruelty for the public, which also became a bestseller. Join me as I share these connections with you to hopefully inspire YOU to use your voice, use your skills, use your gifts to raise awareness, help animals, and inspire others.

We have many words built from the English word for “bear,” the Latin word for “bear,” and the Greek word for “bear,” and we have many expressions and phrases built from the same furry animal. Of course there are also expressions using the verb “to bear,” as in “to carry,” such as in “bearing fruit, bearing a child, or bearing a (... More)

We have many words built from the English word for “bear,” the Latin word for “bear,” and the Greek word for “bear,” and we have many expressions and phrases built from the same furry animal. Of course there are also expressions using the verb “to bear,” as in “to carry,” such as in “bearing fruit, bearing a child, or bearing a burden or a grudge. Let’s explore the origins of all of these.

My Client is Innocent: The History and Significance of Protecting Animals Under the Law

6 Aug 2017 at 11:43am

The first animal anti-cruelty law in the United States was passed in 1867, and though there is much work to be done, much work has been done to protect animals under the law since then. Join me today for my conversation with Stephen Wells, executive director for the Animal Legal Defense Fund, as we talk about the legal definition of animals as "property," (... More)

The first animal anti-cruelty law in the United States was passed in 1867, and though there is much work to be done, much work has been done to protect animals under the law since then. Join me today for my conversation with Stephen Wells, executive director for the Animal Legal Defense Fund, as we talk about the legal definition of animals as "property," legal victories secured for animals, and how this field has grown significantly over the decades, reflecting a shift in public opinion.

They said we'd starve being vegan in southern Germany. They said we'd starve being vegan in Rwanda. They said we'd starve in the Highlands. They were wrong, and we lived to tell about it. Join me on our latest excursion — this time on a 100-mile trek from Glasgow to Fort William (and a train ride to Edinburgh). I take you with us from how to pack (... More)

They said we'd starve being vegan in southern Germany. They said we'd starve being vegan in Rwanda. They said we'd starve in the Highlands. They were wrong, and we lived to tell about it. Join me on our latest excursion — this time on a 100-mile trek from Glasgow to Fort William (and a train ride to Edinburgh). I take you with us from how to pack for such a trip, what my favorite vegan hiking shoes are, what company to use to book with, how to prepare for eating while you're walking 15 miles a day, and how often to stop for whisky. Complete with recommendations, resources, and restaurants.

Thanks to listener supporters, who also receive written transcripts of each episode.

Compassion for All Creatures Great and Small: In Conversation with Nancy Lawson, author of The Humane Gardener

17 Jun 2017 at 9:11am

Just because you don't consider yourself a "gardener" doesn't mean this episode isn't for you. Humane gardening is about looking through the lens of the millions of species on this planet and creating a space that enables them to thrive. It's about coexisting with rather than managing or controlling wildlife. With the help of Nancy Lawson, author of (... More)

Just because you don't consider yourself a "gardener" doesn't mean this episode isn't for you. Humane gardening is about looking through the lens of the millions of species on this planet and creating a space that enables them to thrive. It's about coexisting with rather than managing or controlling wildlife. With the help of Nancy Lawson, author of The Humane Gardener: Nurturing a Backyard Habitat for Wildlife, you can apply this concept in your own garden patch, on your apartment balcony, or as part of policy you create with city officials. In this episode, Nancy and I chat about:

If the World Went Vegan, We Would be Overrun with Animals and Other Hypotheticals

3 Jun 2017 at 9:00am

“What would happen to all the animals if we stopped eating them? Wouldn’t we be overrun with cows and pigs and chickens if we stopped?” “If everyone stopped eating these animals, they would go extinct. Is that what you want, Ms. Vegan and Mr. Vegan? You don’t care if these animals go extinct??” Join me today as I address these questions. (... More)

“What would happen to all the animals if we stopped eating them? Wouldn’t we be overrun with cows and pigs and chickens if we stopped?” “If everyone stopped eating these animals, they would go extinct. Is that what you want, Ms. Vegan and Mr. Vegan? You don’t care if these animals go extinct??” Join me today as I address these questions.

Thanks to supporters for making Food for Thought possible and who receive written transcripts of every episode.

I believe that shifting the way we talk about, think about, and behave towards other animals will impact them positively in the long term. But I also believe that as people who care about animals, we need to be politically engaged, because it’s not enough to change hearts and minds; we also have to change laws in order to protect animals from violence (... More)

I believe that shifting the way we talk about, think about, and behave towards other animals will impact them positively in the long term. But I also believe that as people who care about animals, we need to be politically engaged, because it’s not enough to change hearts and minds; we also have to change laws in order to protect animals from violence and exploitation. If you're looking to become empowered and emboldened to be a voice for animals, this is the episode for you.

Thank you for your support. Supporters receive transcripts of episodes.

Research has found that the way we name animals is intimately tied to our ability to eat them. Listen to this excerpt, then head over to Animalogy for the full episode. This topic is relevant for Food for Thought listeners, so I thought I'd put it on your radar. Subscribe to Animalogy Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. Thank you!
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Research has found that the way we name animals is intimately tied to our ability to eat them. Listen to this excerpt, then head over to Animalogy for the full episode. This topic is relevant for Food for Thought listeners, so I thought I'd put it on your radar.

Because this episode from Animalogy Podcast is so relevant to what we discuss on Food for Thought Podcast, I'm sharing an excerpt with you. Listen to the full episode over at Animalogy Podcast in which I talk to my friend, colleague, and fellow activist Carol J. Adams about: where the animals go when we eat meat how the word meat has changed over (... More)

Because this episode from Animalogy Podcast is so relevant to what we discuss on Food for Thought Podcast, I'm sharing an excerpt with you. Listen to the full episode over at Animalogy Podcast in which I talk to my friend, colleague, and fellow activist Carol J. Adams about:

where the animals go when we eat meat how the word meat has changed over the centuries the effect of “zero plurals” (listen for what the heck that means) the power of words to objectify, diminish, and dismember an individual

Having been to Rwanda, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and South Africa, I can now share with you the details of our adventure. For information on what you need to do before visiting these countries, check out the Food for Thought episode called Planning and Preparing a Trip to Africa. But for what do to once you get there and how to make the most of it, sit back, (... More)

Having been to Rwanda, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and South Africa, I can now share with you the details of our adventure. For information on what you need to do before visiting these countries, check out the Food for Thought episode called Planning and Preparing a Trip to Africa. But for what do to once you get there and how to make the most of it, sit back, and enjoy the journey.

Supporters of Food for Thought receive the itinerary and specific details of the trip.

Easing you into the new ANIMALOGY podcast, enjoy this SPECIAL episode, and be sure to subscribe to ANIMALOGY today on iTunes or wherever you listen to podcasts. Semantics play a significant role in shaping public perception about animals and animal welfare. The meat, dairy, and egg industries go to great lengths to remove harsh terminology and replace (... More)

Easing you into the new ANIMALOGY podcast, enjoy this SPECIAL episode, and be sure to subscribe to ANIMALOGY today on iTunes or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Semantics play a significant role in shaping public perception about animals and animal welfare. The meat, dairy, and egg industries go to great lengths to remove harsh terminology and replace it with euphemisms that conceal the truth and sanitize violence. In today’s episode, I talk to someone who knows this all too well: Paul Shapiro, Vice President of Policy at The Humane Society of the United States. Join us as we discuss euphemisms and doublespeak used by animal agriculture and the best terms for plant-based and cultured meat.

Please subscribe to Animalogy on iTunes and Stitcher, download the episodes, and leave a review. Thank you for helping change the way we talk — and think — about animals.

Help celebrate the ELEVEN-YEAR ANNIVERSARY of the Food for Thought podcast by sitting back and taking in the love letters I’ve received from listeners and supporters this past year. The stories are as diverse as the listeners and reflect varied ages and backgrounds, but they all share common threads of hope, transformation, and compassion. I hope (... More)

Help celebrate the ELEVEN-YEAR ANNIVERSARY of the Food for Thought podcast by sitting back and taking in the love letters I’ve received from listeners and supporters this past year. The stories are as diverse as the listeners and reflect varied ages and backgrounds, but they all share common threads of hope, transformation, and compassion. I

hope you are as moved by the letters as I am humbled by them. If you ever once thought that “people don’t change,” then you’re in for quite a treat. And grab some tea or a glass of wine.

Easing you into the new podcast, enjoy this episode of ANIMALOGY, and be sure to subscribe to ANIMALOGY today on iTunes or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you’ve made a serious faux pas and need to acknowledge it with humility, you might be said to be “eating crow” or “eating humble pie,” both phrases of which involve animals — or (... More)

Easing you into the new podcast, enjoy this episode of ANIMALOGY, and be sure to subscribe to ANIMALOGY today on iTunes or wherever you listen to podcasts.

If you’ve made a serious faux pas and need to acknowledge it with humility, you might be said to be “eating crow” or “eating humble pie,” both phrases of which involve animals — or do they? In this episode, I uncover the dirty little secret underneath the pastry dough in “to eat humble pie” but demonstrate why you still want to eat humble pie (or dirt) instead of crows.

Please subscribe to Animalogy on iTunes and Stitcher, download the episodes, and leave a review. Thank you for helping change the way we talk — and think — about animals.

Easing you into our new podcast, enjoy this episode of ANIMALOGY, and be sure to subscribe to ANIMALOGY today on iTunes or wherever you listen to podcasts. Of the 88 constellations officially recognized by Western astronomy, 40 of them are named after animals — 43 if you count the mythical animals. We’re going to talk about 12 of them today — (... More)

Easing you into our new podcast, enjoy this episode of ANIMALOGY, and be sure to subscribe to ANIMALOGY today on iTunes or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Of the 88 constellations officially recognized by Western astronomy, 40 of them are named after animals — 43 if you count the mythical animals. We’re going to talk about 12 of them today — the 12 that make up the zodiac from Western astrology — ALL of which contain animals. After all, the word zodiac is Greek for “circle of little animals.”

FIVE THINGS YOU CAN DO FOR ANIMALOGY:

1.Subscribe to Animalogy on iTunes and Stitcher and download the episodes.

2. Leave a 5-star rating on iTunes.

3. Leave a review on iTunes. High ratings, reviews, and downloads in the first month increase the chances of high placement on iTunes.

4. Become a monthly supporter of the podcast. For just .33 cents a day, you receive transcripts to each episode; for $1.00 a day, you get bonus episodes. Your support helps us reach the goal of making it a weekly, ad-free show.

5. Share the podcast with everyone you know! Use the share buttons below and above!

Easing you into the new podcast, enjoy this episode from ANIMALOGY, and be sure to subscribe to ANIMALOGY today! Coccyx is a small triangle-shaped bone at the base of the spinal column in humans and other apes, such as gibbons, orangutans, gorillas, and chimpanzees. Representing a vestigial tail and most commonly called the tailbone, coccyx was the (... More)

Easing you into the new podcast, enjoy this episode from ANIMALOGY, and be sure to subscribe to ANIMALOGY today! Coccyx is a small triangle-shaped bone at the base of the spinal column in humans and other apes, such as gibbons, orangutans, gorillas, and chimpanzees. Representing a vestigial tail and most commonly called the tailbone, coccyx was the name given to this part of our anatomy by ancient Greek physician Galen because of its resemblance to an animal, making the word an "animalogy." Can you guess the etymology? All is revealed in this episode of Animalogy, a podcast about language and the animal-related words and expressions we use every day.

Easing you into the new Animalogy Podcast, please enjoy this SPECIAL episode; in exchange, please listen and subscribe to Animalogy Podcast! As Inauguration Day approaches, not everyone is talking about the inauguration of the next U.S. president; some are talking about the animals hidden within the word itself. This inaugural episode of Animalogy, (... More)

Easing you into the new Animalogy Podcast, please enjoy this SPECIAL episode; in exchange, please listen and subscribe to Animalogy Podcast! As Inauguration Day approaches, not everyone is talking about the inauguration of the next U.S. president; some are talking about the animals hidden within the word itself. This inaugural episode of Animalogy, a podcast about the animal-related words and expressions we use every day, takes us back to the politics of ancient Rome to reveal the birds behind the words inaugural, inauguration, auspicious, auspices, and more.

Today's episode is all about Animalogy, whose timing could not be more perfect not only because of the urgency of the need to transform our negative perception and ill treatment of nonhuman animals but also because we are living in a time when we are all called upon to be linguistically sensitive to vulnerable and disenfranchised groups. And perhaps (... More)

Today's episode is all about Animalogy, whose timing could not be more perfect not only because of the urgency of the need to transform our negative perception and ill treatment of nonhuman animals but also because we are living in a time when we are all called upon to be linguistically sensitive to vulnerable and disenfranchised groups. And perhaps no group is left out of our consideration more than the nonhuman animals of the world. We are all encouraged to be aware of and mindful about our language when it comes to those who don’t look, emote, or sound like we do. Animalogy shows what it would look like to accord that same respect to nonhuman animals — not because it changes them but because it changes us. Take a listen.

Listen to Food for Thought by clicking the play button below or by subscribing to or listening through iTunes, Stitcher, or Soundcloud.

Vegan options in L.A. continue to grow, as does my Northern Californian envy for the delicious restaurants and pop-ups in this city that has grown close to my heart over the years. Take a listen to the details of our recent trip to the city of angels; perhaps it will inspire a visit of your own.
(... More)

Vegan options in L.A. continue to grow, as does my Northern Californian envy for the delicious restaurants and pop-ups in this city that has grown close to my heart over the years. Take a listen to the details of our recent trip to the city of angels; perhaps it will inspire a visit of your own.

Did you know that some seemingly animal-related words and phrases have origins that have nothing to do with animals? In today's episode, I offer up the backstory to words such as piggyback, monkey wrench, round robin, and spelling bee. Thanks for supporting Food for Thought. Music by Gosta Berling.
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Did you know that some seemingly animal-related words and phrases have origins that have nothing to do with animals? In today's episode, I offer up the backstory to words such as piggyback, monkey wrench, round robin, and spelling bee.

Get ready to geek out on language and animals! We've talked a lot about animals hiding in familiar words and phrases, but did you know animals are lurking in the very letters that make up these words? If I haven't blown your mind yet, check out this episode to learn more about this fascinating history.
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Get ready to geek out on language and animals! We've talked a lot about animals hiding in familiar words and phrases, but did you know animals are lurking in the very letters that make up these words? If I haven't blown your mind yet, check out this episode to learn more about this fascinating history.

A Gaggle of Geese, A Pride of Lions, A School of Fish, and More Collective Animal Nouns

17 Aug 2016 at 6:09pm

A collective noun is “the name of a number (or collection) of people, animals, or things taken together and spoken of as one whole.” There are hundreds of these nouns of multitude, including those for animals, many of which are deeply embedded in our language despite being several hundred years old. You may refer to a gaggle of geese, a litter of (... More)

A collective noun is “the name of a number (or collection) of people, animals, or things taken together and spoken of as one whole.” There are hundreds of these nouns of multitude, including those for animals, many of which are deeply embedded in our language despite being several hundred years old. You may refer to a gaggle of geese, a litter of puppies, a flock of ducks, a pride of lions, a A pack of wolves, or a murder of crows, but do you know whence they came? Join me today as we dive deep into these little bits of poetry.

Listen by clicking the play button below or by subscribing to the RSS feed or listening through iTunes, Stitcher, or Soundcloud.

Thank you for your support of this podcast. You can support at Patreon.com/ColleenPatrickGoudreau and at JoyfulVegan.com.

As an advocate for animals and compassionate living for over 25 years, you can imagine I've made mistakes, I've learned a bit, and I've thought a lot about what is effective -- and what is not. And so I give you 10 Habits of Highly Effective Advocates. Take a listen, and enjoy some lil' shareables, if you're so inclined to share: *The goal is to (... More)

As an advocate for animals and compassionate living for over 25 years, you can imagine I've made mistakes, I've learned a bit, and I've thought a lot about what is effective -- and what is not. And so I give you 10 Habits of Highly Effective Advocates. Take a listen, and enjoy some lil' shareables, if you're so inclined to share:

*The goal is to live according to compassion. The goal is not to “live according to veganism.”

*When you think being vegan is the end goal -- the badge, the destination, you get hung up on trying to be perfect or achieving a state of purity, and you forget what being vegan is all about.

*Being vegan is the means to the goal and that goal is unconditional compassion and optimal wellness.

*Highly Effective Advocates understand that perfection is the enemy of the good.

*The problems we face in our world are not because we have so much compassion we don’t know what to do with it. The problems are because people aren’t living according to their own values of compassion and kindness.

*We know we’re no better than anyone else for being vegan; we’re just better than who we used to be.

*Highly Effective Advocates make connections rather than create separations.

*Highly Effective Advocates ask themselves, "Do I want to be right or do I want to be effective?"

*I didn’t stop eating meat because I stopped liking the taste; I stopped eating it because I realized it was made of animals who were suffering."

*This issue isn't me against you; vegan against non-vegan; my moral superiority over your moral superiority. It’s about all of us being against violence and cruelty.

*If I profess to be a compassionate person, it doesn’t mean I get to be compassionate only to those I like or who agree with me.

*Compassion isn’t compassion unless it is felt for everyone -- the guilty and the non-guilty, the kind and the unkind, the good and the evil.

*Authentic compassion means having compassion even for those who do are not compassionate.

*The more compassion I give, the more that gets created in the world. The more compassion I withhold, the less there is.

*Having a clear intention about your goal and making that goal about truth rather than outcome will make you a successful, effective advocate 100% of the time.

*May our daily choices be a reflection of our deepest values and may we use our voices to speak for those who need us most, those who have no voice.

The weight of a word doesn’t simply lie in its dictionary definition. Words don’t simply have denotations — they also have connotations: a number of associations and attributes that stretch beyond the literal meaning. The word “butcher” has always been associated with the killing and preparing of animals for human consumption, but a new contingency (... More)

The weight of a word doesn’t simply lie in its dictionary definition. Words don’t simply have denotations — they also have connotations: a number of associations and attributes that stretch beyond the literal meaning. The word “butcher” has always been associated with the killing and preparing of animals for human consumption, but a new contingency of vegetarian and vegan butchers — who cleave plant fibers rather than animal bones — have claimed this name for themselves.

Listen to today's episode brought to you by listeners like you. Thank you for supporting this podcast.

Whether you're interested in a visit to Africa or not, check out this episode that not only provides details about traveling to Rwanda to see the mountain gorillas and Botswana to go on a safari but also offers thoughts on how we need to think about wild places. I also offer tips for using airline miles (rather than dollars) to fly and how to avoid (... More)

Whether you're interested in a visit to Africa or not, check out this episode that not only provides details about traveling to Rwanda to see the mountain gorillas and Botswana to go on a safari but also offers thoughts on how we need to think about wild places. I also offer tips for using airline miles (rather than dollars) to fly and how to avoid long security and customs lines.

Journey with me through the Sonoma Wine Country as I share my experience eating vegan food, drinking wine, and talking to a wine-making hunter, who invited me to join him on one of his hunts. In this episode, I offer my thoughts about "vegan wines." This podcast is sponsored by listeners like you. Help it continue. Visit JoyfulVegan.com for everything (... More)

Journey with me through the Sonoma Wine Country as I share my experience eating vegan food, drinking wine, and talking to a wine-making hunter, who invited me to join him on one of his hunts. In this episode, I offer my thoughts about "vegan wines."

This podcast is sponsored by listeners like you. Help it continue.

Visit JoyfulVegan.com for everything you need to live compassionately and healthfully.

The problems we have in this world are not because we have so much compassion we don’t know what to do with it. The problems we have are because people aren’t living according to their own values of kindness and compassion. What does it mean to live according to compassion? Today I share with you The 10 Principles of Compassion as I see them.
Thank (... More)

The problems we have in this world are not because we have so much compassion we don’t know what to do with it. The problems we have are because people aren’t living according to their own values of kindness and compassion. What does it mean to live according to compassion? Today I share with you The 10 Principles of Compassion as I see them.

Thank you for subscribing to and supporting this podcast! Visit JoyfulVegan.com for more!

The well-intentioned rallying cry to “change the world” becomes louder and more hashtag-worthy, especially as Earth Day approaches. A search on Google garners millions of results for articles to help people make a difference:
*10 Things That Even YOU Can Do to Change the World*30 Things You Can Do to Change the World in 30 Seconds*50 Ways YOU Can (... More)

The well-intentioned rallying cry to “change the world” becomes louder and more hashtag-worthy, especially as Earth Day approaches. A search on Google garners millions of results for articles to help people make a difference:

*10 Things That Even YOU Can Do to Change the World*30 Things You Can Do to Change the World in 30 Seconds*50 Ways YOU Can Change the World without Leaving Your Favorite Chair.

The problem is that we're asking the wrong thing of people. It’s not that we CAN change the world. It’s that we ARE changing the world. What we need to do is STOP changing the world -- and change ourselves instead.

This podcast is sponsored by listeners like you. Help it continue. Supporters receive such perks as written podcast transcripts.

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On my last visit to Seattle, WA 12 years ago, there were just a handful of vegan restaurants. Vegan donuts? Yes. (Yay!) A 100% vegan store? Yes. (Yay!) But vegan restaurants. Just a few. Of course as vegans, we're never at risk of starving, but darnit, it's just so much better when we can enjoy delicious, beautiful, creative food in a restaurant and (... More)

On my last visit to Seattle, WA 12 years ago, there were just a handful of vegan restaurants. Vegan donuts? Yes. (Yay!) A 100% vegan store? Yes. (Yay!) But vegan restaurants. Just a few. Of course as vegans, we're never at risk of starving, but darnit, it's just so much better when we can enjoy delicious, beautiful, creative food in a restaurant and not have to pick the only vegan-izable thing on the menu. Thank you to all of the restauranteurs who made this trip an edible adventure. Take a listen for my favorite places in Port Townsend and Seattle, Washington.

I’ve heard every justification for the consumption of animals, but I was a bit stunned when I heard someone claim that vegans should eat oysters because bivalves are "basically plants." No doubt there are grey areas in this whole attempt to live as compassionately as possible. But even the fuzzy lines are still lines. If I let you eat oysters, would (... More)

I’ve heard every justification for the consumption of animals, but I was a bit stunned when I heard someone claim that vegans should eat oysters because bivalves are "basically plants." No doubt there are grey areas in this whole attempt to live as compassionately as possible. But even the fuzzy lines are still lines. If I let you eat oysters, would you stop eating cows?

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Cat cafes have become a popular trend all around the world, but who do they ultimately serve? Are they just about the schtick, or can they play a role in helping people adopt homeless cats? Today's podcast episode explores this topic, offers some questions we should be asking, and provides a model that other cat cafes might follow.
Thank you for supporting (... More)

Cat cafes have become a popular trend all around the world, but who do they ultimately serve? Are they just about the schtick, or can they play a role in helping people adopt homeless cats? Today's podcast episode explores this topic, offers some questions we should be asking, and provides a model that other cat cafes might follow.

Thank you for supporting this podcast: Patreon.com/ColleenPatrickGoudreau

Today's episode concludes a 3-part series on Animals in Film. In Part One, I talk about the history behind the American Humane Association and its “no animals were harmed in the making of this film" disclaimer. In Part Two, we discuss where things have gone wrong on TV and movie sets that lead to the death or injury of animals and why these productions (... More)

Today's episode concludes a 3-part series on Animals in Film. In Part One, I talk about the history behind the American Humane Association and its “no animals were harmed in the making of this film" disclaimer. In Part Two, we discuss where things have gone wrong on TV and movie sets that lead to the death or injury of animals and why these productions still received the “No Animals Were Harmed” disclaimer from the monitors meant to protect the animals. Today, in Part Three, we address what can be done so that animals ARE NOT harmed on sets and what the public can do to be involved.

Listen by clicking the play button below or by subscribing to the RSS feed or listening through iTunes, Stitcher, or Soundcloud.

Today's episode is framed around a conversation I had with a non-vegan German (who lives in the U.S.), who was not only doubtful we'd be able to eat while visiting southern Germany (as vegans) but who also lamented that we would be "missing out" on the traditions of this country. I assured him that when you look through the meat-eating lens, you see (... More)

Today's episode is framed around a conversation I had with a non-vegan German (who lives in the U.S.), who was not only doubtful we'd be able to eat while visiting southern Germany (as vegans) but who also lamented that we would be "missing out" on the traditions of this country. I assured him that when you look through the meat-eating lens, you see only meat and when you look through the vegan lens you see options you wouldn't have been looking for otherwise. I assured him we'd be fine. I assured him there are higher principles than eating animal-based sausage. But I said all that before we left for our trip. Listen to today's podcast episode to see if I was right.

Help celebrate the TEN-YEAR ANNIVERSARY of the Food for Thought podcast by sitting back and taking in the love letters I've received from listeners and supporters this past year. The stories are as diverse as the listeners and reflect varied ages and backgrounds, but they all share common threads of hope, transformation, and compassion. I hope you are (... More)

Help celebrate the TEN-YEAR ANNIVERSARY of the Food for Thought podcast by sitting back and taking in the love letters I've received from listeners and supporters this past year. The stories are as diverse as the listeners and reflect varied ages and backgrounds, but they all share common threads of hope, transformation, and compassion. I hope you are as moved by the letters as I am humbled by them. If you ever once thought that “people don’t change,” then you’re in for quite a treat. And grab some tea or a glass of wine. The episode is just short of 2 hours!

Advocacy & Adaptation: Fitting In and Living Joyfully in a Non-Vegan World

20 Dec 2015 at 12:11pm

Having experienced all these benefits of getting meat, dairy, and eggs out of our lives and having found our own voice, it's natural to next ask “Where do I fit into this whole thing?” “How can I help?” “What skills do I have that I can use to be part of the solution?” What's my contribution?” Finally, we can relax into this compassionate (... More)

Having experienced all these benefits of getting meat, dairy, and eggs out of our lives and having found our own voice, it's natural to next ask “Where do I fit into this whole thing?” “How can I help?” “What skills do I have that I can use to be part of the solution?” What's my contribution?” Finally, we can relax into this compassionate and healthy way of living and adapt fully and joyfully into a non-vegan world. This episode wraps up our 10 Stages of What Happens When you Stop Eating Animals.

Every one of us has had to manage what to do when uninvited guests take up residence in our attics, walls, or basements. Sadly, we're too quick to consider them "pests" and take lethal measures to get rid of them. But even when we want to take compassionate action, we may be deceived or making it worse for the animal. Listen to this important episode (... More)

Every one of us has had to manage what to do when uninvited guests take up residence in our attics, walls, or basements. Sadly, we're too quick to consider them "pests" and take lethal measures to get rid of them. But even when we want to take compassionate action, we may be deceived or making it worse for the animal. Listen to this important episode about how to change our perception and behavior and still humanely deal with rats, squirrels, raccoons, and even cockroaches.

Thank you for supporting this podcast: www.colleenpatrickgoudreau.com/support

We already impact animals so much in our every day lives: we eat them, we destroy their homes, we make them perform for us, we shoot them for sport, we use and hurt them in so many ways. So how can we HELP them in our every day lives?? Listen to my TOP 5 SUGGESTIONS that don't even require much effort but that make a huge difference in the lives of (... More)

We already impact animals so much in our every day lives: we eat them, we destroy their homes, we make them perform for us, we shoot them for sport, we use and hurt them in so many ways. So how can we HELP them in our every day lives?? Listen to my TOP 5 SUGGESTIONS that don't even require much effort but that make a huge difference in the lives of individual animals and that make us better people.

Listen by subscribing to the RSS feed or listening through iTunes, Stitcher, or Soundcloud.

In Animals in Film: Part 1, we talked about the history behind the American Humane Association and its “No Animals Were Harmed” disclaimer. Today, in Animals in Film: Part 2, we discuss where things have gone wrong on TV and movie sets that lead to the death or injury of animals and why these productions still received the “No Animals Were Harmed” (... More)

In Animals in Film: Part 1, we talked about the history behind the American Humane Association and its “No Animals Were Harmed” disclaimer. Today, in Animals in Film: Part 2, we discuss where things have gone wrong on TV and movie sets that lead to the death or injury of animals and why these productions still received the “No Animals Were Harmed” disclaimer from the monitors meant to protect the animals.

Animals in Film Part One: The History of the "Animals Were Not Harmed" Disclaimer

5 Oct 2015 at 11:42am

Every regular filmgoer is familiar with the disclaimer at the end of film credits that states “no animals were harmed in the making of this film.” This message is given with the approval of the American Humane Association, which has oversight over the treatment of animals in films, but what took place to give an outside group oversight over a private (... More)

Every regular filmgoer is familiar with the disclaimer at the end of film credits that states “no animals were harmed in the making of this film.” This message is given with the approval of the American Humane Association, which has oversight over the treatment of animals in films, but what took place to give an outside group oversight over a private industry? Today we talk about that history, which includes a horse being pushed off of a 75-foot high cliff.